Flush valve



Dec. 30, 1947. J. J. DELANY.

FLUSHVALVE Friled NOV. 11, 1944 INVENTOR. JZZan 136M131 f/www ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 30, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUSH VALVE John J. Delany, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 11, 1944, Serial No. 562,958

. 1 Claim.

This invention relates to flush valves and is more particularly directed to means incorporated in the valve structure for effectively silencing or muffling the objectionable noise incident to the closing of the diaphragm Valve with reference to its seat when discontinuing the fiushing operation and this without afiecting the flushing eniciency of the valve. I

While many unsuccessful and impractical attempts have been made to solve this problem, a careful analysis of the matter indicates that the closing noise may be mainly attributed to the regurgitation and extreme agitation or resurgence of the water during the final stages of the movement of the diaphragm valve toward its seat, the same being the result of the direct flow of the water radially inward between the diaphragm valve and its seat.

In View of this, the present invention comprehends a silencing or muifling means of the indicated character which is moveable by and with the diaphragm valve and which is so constructed as to define a. bafile moveable to a position in surrounding spaced relation to the seat of the diaphragm valve as the same approaches its seat so that it intercepts and prevents the direct flow of the water radially inward between said valve and seat thereby causing the water to flow in 'a tortuous path which tends to maintain a solid head of water in surrounding relation to the seat thus overcoming the regurgitation and extreme agitation and the noise incident thereto.

An outstanding advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a silencing or muffiing means which is so located or positioned within the valve structure as to avoid any interference with the primary function or purpose of a flush valve, namely its flushing action and this is particularly advantageous where the pressure and flow velocity is very low and precludes the use of silencing means such as have heretofore been used and located in the valve casing outlet or the tubular valve seat leading to said outlet where they impede the how to such an extent as to practically destroy the flushing action.

It has also been observed that the silencing or muffling means of the present invention functions to attain a better timing of the valve operation by reducing and controlling the flexing of the diaphragm during its downward movement while the flushing operation is in progress and in one of its adaptations, the saidmeans overlies the diaphragm and engages with the valve seat and consists of an element from which small pebbles, grit or other hard foreign particles will rebound thus avoiding embedment thereof in the diaphragm which has resulted in an improper closing of the valve after the flushing operation.

With the above enumerated and other objects in View, the invention is set forth in greater detail in the following specification, particularly pointed out in theappended claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a flush valve with parts broken away and shown in section and illustrating the valve equipped'with a, mufiling or silencing means constructed in accordance with the invention, said means being shown in its active position for muflling the closing noise.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional view through the flush valve showing the diaphragm valve member in its fully opened position with the mufiiing or silencing means in its inactive position. I

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the muffling or silencing element removed from the diaphragm valve member.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified adaptation of the invention wherein the muilling or silencing means is formed integral with the diaphragm valve member.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through a flush valve showing a modified form of mufller element combined with guide means for the diaphragm valve member.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, l0 designates the casing of a flush valve formed with the inlet and outlet openings I l and E2, the former being defined by a lateral boss at one side of the casing and the latter by the lower end portion of said casing. A removable tubular sleeve [3 defining a valve seat M at its upper open end communicates with the outlet opening l2 and extends upwardly therefrom to a location adjacent the upper end of the casing. A flexible diaphragm valve member l5 which is preferably of leather has its marginal edge clamped against the internal shoulder l6 adjacent the upper end .of the casing H] by means of a cap I! which is threadedly engaged with the upper end of the casing and the said diaphragm member I5 is formed with a central opening I8 within which is fitted and sealed the outlet tube or bushing H) which depends from the diaphragm valve member and is clamped in place with reference thereto by a retaining nut 2|] formed with depending circumferentially spaced guide fingers 2| slidably engaging within the sleeve l3 for guiding the diaphragm member l5 in its movements toward and away from the seat M. The upper end of the outlet tube or bushing I9 is formed with a marginal bead which clamps an upper or auxiliary valve seat 22 against the upper surface of the diaphragm member H: in surrounding relation to the central opening l8 thereof.

An upper valve element 23 having a depending actuator stem 24 normally engages the upper valve seat Zl to close an upper pressure chamber 25 defined within the cap ll above the diaphragm ment in a suitable water tight bearing 28 carriedby the lateral boss 29 formed on the casing Ill.

The diaphragm valve member I is provided with the usual by-pass fitting 30- extending therethrough for permitting the passage of water from the lower main water chamber 3i of the casing to the upper pressure chamber 25.

The foregoing description applies to the general structure of one of the conventional types of diaphragm flush valves which operate in the usual manner wherein the upper valve element 23 is first opened by manipulating the oscillating handle 21 to cant anddisplace said Valve 23 from its seat 2| so as to permit the water to flow from the upper pressure chamber 25, thereby reducing the pressure on the upper surface of the diaphragm valve member l5 whereby the greater pressure-in the lower main water chamber 3| flexes said diaphragm member upwardly away from its seat I4 as shown in Fig. 2. The water then flows from the chamber 3i through the upper end of the tubular sleeve and thence downwardly through the outlet opening l2 for accomplishing the flushing operation.

As the Water gradually fills the upper chamber 25 through the by-pass fitting to equalize the pressure therein with the pressure in the lower main chamber 3|, the diaphragm valve member I5 is flexed downwardly toward its seat I5. During the final stages of this movement, it is evident that the opening for thepassage of the water between the diaphragm and its seat becomes more and more restricted or narrower, resulting in what may be describedas aregurgitation, extreme agitation or turbulenceof the water in the region adjacent to-the narrowing or restricted outlet which. results inthe undesirable or objectionable noiseincident to and immediately preceding the final closing, of the diaphragm valve member. tation or turbulence has beenattributed to the fact that the water under pressureincreases'in velocity as the outlet becomes narrower or. more restricted while flowing radially inward between the diaphragm valveandit's seat thusproducing a high pitched'whistling or hissing'noise resulting from the mixture of air with'the water. created by the regurgitation or turbulence.

In order to preclude this.regurgitation;..extr.eme. agitation or turbulence, the present invention.

comprehends any suitable type of bafile means which will prevent the direct radial inward flow of water between the. diaphragm member l5 and its seat 14' so asto cause the. outgoing water to flow in a tortuouspath thus avoidingthe turbulence, regurgitation or extreme agitation and produce a solid unaerated head of water in the region of the outlet; whichhasproven-in actual practice to muflleor silence the closing noise.

As disclosed. in Figs. 1' to 3, inclusive, an inverted cup-shaped. element designated generally by the reference character- A is employed which This regurgitation, .agi- I includes a fiat base portion 40 preferably of circular formation and a continuous depending marginal rim portion 4| at the outer periphery of the base portion. The said base portion 48 is formed with a central aperture 42 of a size to snugly fit over the outlet tube or bushing I9 with the upper flat surface thereof clamped against the central area of the diaphragm member l5 in surrounding relation to the opening l8 by the retaining nut 28'. The base portion lll is of a sufiicient diameter or size as'to leave on its under surface an endless area or face disposed between the outer periphery of the retaining nut and the inner periphery of the marginal rim which is adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with the valve seat M at the upper end of the sleeve l3. The element A may be constructed of any suitable material for the purpose such asmolded rubber or a plastic material or the same may be in the form of a metallic housing having an insert of suitable seating material which afiords a surface of a character to resist the embedment of small pebbles, grit or other hard foreign particles so that the same will rebound therefrom and eventually be carried through the outlet opening during the flushing operation, thus eliminating frequent repairs which have been required heretofore where hard foreign particles become embedded in the soft leather diaphragm and tend to wear or score the valve seat and prevent full closing or cause leakage when the diaphragm valve is'moved to closed position. It will also be observed that by employing the retaining nut 23 to clamp the element A in place, said element when worn may be readily removed and a new one substituted therefor.

The marginal rim 4| of the silencing or muffling element A is of such a height that the same functions as a baflle only when the diaphragm member I5 closely aproaches its seat 14 and just prior to the termination of the flushing operation. At this stage, it will be apparent from the position of parts as shown in Fig. 1, that the rim 4| surrounds or embraces the seat 14 so as to cause the outgoing water to travel in a tortuous path, as shown by the arrows, thus preventing the direct radial inward flow of the water between the diaphragm valve member and its seat, thereby eliminating the regurgitation, the extreme turbulence or agitation. This tends to maintain a solidunaerated head'ofwater around the gradually narrowingv or constricting outlet to muille or prevent the closingnoise and make for. a more silent operation of the'flush valve.

In order to provide for clearanceforthe. by-pass fitting, the marginal rim portion 4!. and the base of theelement A is formed with-a notch 43 which in no way affectsv the baffling function-or muilling effect while serving the importantadditionpurpose of anoutlet for the escape of pebbles, sand or hard foreign particles inthe water thus precluding their being trapped between the seat I4 and base 40 of the element A where they would affect the proper closing of the diaphragm valve member or scoring or other damage to the seating faces.

In the modified adaptation of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the diaphragm valve member designated at 50 is of material such asmoldedrubher or any equivalent material suitable for the purpose and in this instance the mufiling or silencing means consists of a substantially annular bead or rim 5| formed integral'with the the diaphragm valve member. Preferably in this form,

the said valve member 50 is moulded about a reinforcing element 52 so that the same is embedded therein. In all respects the construction and theory and mode of operation of the flush valve and the mufiling or silencing means is identical with the previous form of the invention disclosed.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the muflling or silencing means consists of an inverted cup-shaped element B which is preferably fashioned of a suitable metal and which includes a base 60 having a central aperture 6| and formed with a marginal rim 62 enclosing an annular washer 63 of suitable seating material adapted to engage with the seat I4 of the sleeve I3. In this instance the element B is clamped in place by a nut 64 corresponding to the nut 20 of the first form but having no de pending guide fingers 2 I. In lieu thereof the diaphragm valve member I5 is guided by means of circumferentially spaced fingers 65 carried by the marginal rim 62 of the element B and depending therefrom and engaging with the outer periphery of the outlet sleeve [3, thereby leaving said outlet tube free and clear of any impediment to the flow of the water during the flushing operation.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a flush valve including a casing having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat located therebetween and a diaphragm valve member movable into and out of engagement with said seat for controlling the opening and closing of said outlet; of means for mufiling the noise incident to the final stages of the closing movement of said valve member with reference to its seat comprising a bafile element carried by and movable with the valve member and so constructed and arranged as to be disposed in surrounding relation to the valve seat as the valve member approaches seating relation thereto, said bafile element being formed with an outlet for the escape of hard foreign particles from within the confines thereof as the valve member approaches its seat, said diaphragm valve and said baffle element having aligned central openings therein, a tube fitted in said openings and secured to said diaphragm in sealing relation therewith and a valve element adapted to close the upper end of said tube and having a stem protruding through said tube and adapted to be moved for displacing said last mentioned valve to permit the passage of the water through said tube to equalize the pressure on the upper surface of the diaphragm valve.

JOHN J. DELANY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: v

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 1, 1927 

